What Would An Earthquake Cost In Wyoming?

A new report suggests a magnitude 7.5 earthquake on the Teton Fault could cost more than half a billion dollars and temporarily displace hundreds of households in Jackson Hole. Geologists with the Wyoming State Geological Survey put together a report on potential earthquake scenarios in Wyoming. The study estimates an earthquake on the Teton Fault would cause an economic loss of $494 million to Teton County, just from damage to buildings. It says the quake would damage nearly 4,000 of the roughly 12,000 buildings in Jackson Hole and surrounding communities. It also predicts the hardest-hit fire departments and schools would be operating at 50 percent capacity after a month. The fault last erupted in an earthquake nearly 5,000 years ago.